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Top 3 PA Specialties – 11/21/2012

The physician assistant (PA) industry has come a long way from its meager military beginnings. Today, PAs hold one of the most coveted professional positions in the healthcare industry. PAs are able to diagnose and treat patients depending on state regulations, making PAs a practical and convenient alternative to physicians. With an anticipated anticipated 30 percent increase, healthcare industry options for PAs are abundant. PA positions continue to be one of the highest paying jobs in the healthcare industry, but many PAs are choosing to hone skills and boost pay by branching off into medical specialties.

Although the majority of PAs still practice primary care, the number of PAs moving toward specialty practices is growing. PA specialty trends often mirror practice areas chosen by physicians because PAs work under physicians’ supervision. A
2010 census study conducted by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) gathered comprehensive data on the most populous, profitable PA specialty areas. Here are three preferred specialties that have gained popularity in the PA field.

Emergency Medicine

The highly demanding field of
emergency medicine is constantly fraught with patients and that may be part of why it is the most popular specialty for PAs to practice. PAs working in emergency medicine provide triage treatment and assist in trauma units. PAs can work on the ground in emergency rooms or other
critical care departments, as well as in the air with airlift medical emergencies.
Urgent health and crisis situations can occur at anytime; the inevitable events of medical crises keep emergency medicine PAs at the top of the high-demand list.

Orthopedics

PAs specializing in orthopedics help treat patients with musculoskeletal ailments. Scientific advancements have increased the medical industry’s ability to assist individuals with spinal cord injuries, joint replacements and other musculoskeletal issues, making orthopedics an increasingly attractive area for PAs. PAs assist in all orthopedic capacities, from surgeries to rehabilitative recommendations and care. A burgeoning generation of aging baby boomers adds to the urgency. Older populations experience more degenerative bone health and PAs are flocking to fill the growing medical need for orthopedic treatment. PAs that specialize in orthopedics are high on the healthcare industry’s most wanted list.

*An important note about PAs in orthopedic specialties: There is a big difference between orthopedic physician assistants (OPAs) and physician assistants in orthopedics. Excellent PA-training programs and degrees are alive and well, but accredited OPA programs are sparse and not as prestigious as accredited, traditional PA courses and degrees.

Cardiology

Heart health is a prioritized medical concern across the nation, all over the world. This also makes
a high-priority field for medical professionals, particularly PAs.
PAs specializing in cardiology serve as the "right hand" medical professional for many cardiologists. Whether it is taking extensive patient histories, conducting stress test and other cardiac measurements, providing intervention and preventive counseling and other medical duties related to cardiac health, these PAs take on front-line medical work of cardiology patients. As the field of cardiology addresses the heart, medical care and treatment for patients is often a matter of life itself. Heart disease is a prevalent issue and the discovery of once-hidden congenital disorders is growing due to advanced equipment and medical techniques. As is public awareness grows about the importance of cardiac health, the field will need well-trained, knowledgeable medical professionals. The high demand for cardiology PAs will increase with this heightened awareness.

While these specialties are very prominent on the large list of medical practices, they are but three on a very large list of specialized areas of medical expertise. Any PA seeking to go into a specialty practice will surely find one. However, these practice hot spots currently lead the list of PA specialties in high demand.